Tour de Romandie - 2.HC

Switzerland, April 29 - May 3, 2003

Prologue - April 29: Genève - Genève 3.4 km

Swiss timing rules Romandie prologue

Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) has won the opening prologue time trial in
the Tour de Romandie, edging out two compatriots, Alexandre Moos (Phonak) and
Laurent Dufaux (Alessio). On a short but extremely technical parcous, Cancellara
set the best time and held off the favourites, including defending champion
and teammate Dario Frigo, who finished in 42nd place, 15" down.

Cancellara powered to victory on the winding route, which climbed to the old
section of Geneva from the Parc Neuve, and plunged back down through a series
of tight corners and narrow streets. The prologue finish in the Parc des Bastions
featured a final stretch of pavé and a tricky corner which saw many a
back wheel slip as the riders gave one last acceleration to the line.

Many riders, Cancellara included, chose to ride more agile road machines as
opposed to low profile time trial bikes. Discs wheels were not standard equipment
either, given the short climb and the constant accelerations required from the
corners and hairpins, although some did opt for the aero advantage.

It was a good start for the Swiss, who placed several riders in the top ten,
including the Phonak quartet of Moos, Oscar Pereiro, Alex Zülle, and Martin
Elmiger. American Tyler Hamilton (CSC) also performed well, showing that he
has recovered well after his triumph at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.